Investigation on the Effect of Neem Leaves and Garlic Bulbs Extracts on Fungi Causing Post-Harvest Spoilage of Tomatoes in Vitro and in Vivo
Abstract
In Iraq, tomato is a highly valuable vegetable. Fungal infections result in large postharvest losses in tomato production Therefore, a studies on antifungal effect of garlic (Allium sativum) bulb and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extracts were determined on causative agents of post-harvest fruit rot of tomato. Three concentrations (0,100, 200mgml-1) of each, in addition to 2gl-1 of fungicide (Carbendzim) were used. The treatments were laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Samples of infected and non-infected tomato fruits were obtained from a local market. The infected tomatoes were directly cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media for fungal growth, then incubated at room temperature with an observation for 24 hours to 7 days. Based on their morphological characteristics and an examination of their genomic DNA's internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, funguses from tomato fruits were identified. Results revealed that when tested fungal Pathogenicity, the severity of the infection increased significantly on the fourth day, and on the fifth day the infection appeared on all tomato fruits inoculated with the fungus, as well as on the fruits of the control treatment. During in vitro and in vivo experiments, all the tested concentrations of garlic and neem significantly (p 0.05) suppressed mycelial growth of the fungi Both garlic and neem proved effective in the control of disease severity and these natural extracts can be used as an alternative control method without posing a serious risk to human or animal health, and they provide excellent substitutes for synthetic pesticides.
